Cavotec wins breakthrough MoorMaster™ automated mooring project in Norway

Cavotec has secured a significant order for its MoorMaster™ automated mooring technology at a new bulk handling application in Norway. The project has a substantial financial value – it is the largest single MoorMaster™ order in Europe to date – and indicates the potential for Cavotec’s automated mooring systems at ports worldwide.

Cavotec is to supply 18 MoorMaster™ 200B units for international minerals group LKAB’s new iron ore berth in Narvik, northern Norway, on behalf of the PEAB construction and civil engineering group.

The scope of the order includes manufacture of the mooring units, installation and comprehensive technical support. The units will moor bulk carrier ships of up to 185,000 DWT and 305m.

“This order has great significance for the Cavotec Group: it is the very first of its kind, and largest so far in Europe,” says Ottonel Popesco, Cavotec CEO.

“It also shows that customers are seeing the substantive safety, operational and even environmental benefits of MoorMaster™ automated mooring,” Popesco adds.

This is the first MoorMaster™ bulk handling application in Europe, and the first located within the Arctic Circle. As such, the MM200B units for this project will be built to withstand the harsh winters and demanding operational conditions common to its location.

The technology is already in use at three bulk handling berths in Western Australia, where it is delivering substantial improvements in operational efficiency and safety.

MoorMaster™ is also used at frequent-use passenger ferry, container handling, Ro-Ro and lock applications around the world. In addition, Cavotec is seeing interest in the technology for offshore applications. 

“MoorMaster™ gives our customer improvements in operational performance that are simply not possible with any other mooring solution,” explains Åsmunn Amundsen, Project Manager PEAB Sweden.

The LKAB facility at Narvik ships 15-20 million tonnes of iron ore every year. The MoorMaster™ units will ensure vessels will be moored quickly, safely and remain in position to ensure fast and efficient loading operations.

“We’re delighted to be working with PEAB and LKAB so closely on this exciting project, and we look forward to continuing our successful cooperation going forward,” says Sofus Gedde-Dahl, Managing Director of Cavotec Norge A/S.

“MoorMaster™ has so much to offer the shipping industry in terms of improved efficiency and safety; we’re delighted to be part of that innovative trend,” says Bjornar Bendiksen Project Manager LKAB.

MoorMaster™ is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines. Remote controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside or pontoons, moor and release vessels in seconds.

A single person operates the system, via a hand-held radio remote control unit, either on shore or on board ship.

Cavotec develops advanced technologies that help ports around the world operate safely, efficiently and sustainably. In addition automated mooring, these include shore power technologies, Panzerbelt cable protection systems, crane controllers, marine propulsion slip rings, power chains and connectors, radio remote controls and motorised cable reels.